Mark Martinez

The 5th Engineer Battalion, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is a storied unit in the United States Army with origins dating back to World War I. Activated in 1917, the battalion has participated in numerous major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The 5th Engineers specialize in combat engineering tasks such as mobility, countermobility, and survivability support to combat forces. Today, the battalion continues to train and deploy engineer soldiers, maintaining readiness to support both peacetime missions and combat operations worldwide.

The 5th Engineers is a distinguished unit in the history of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, originally constituted in 1901. The unit first saw significant action during World War I, providing critical combat engineering support on the Western Front, including constructing trenches, roads, and fortifications. During World War II, the 5th Engineers participated in major campaigns across Europe, aiding in river crossings, mine clearing, and infrastructure repair. In the decades since, the unit has continued to serve with distinction in various conflicts and humanitarian missions, both at home and abroad, demonstrating expertise in mobility, countermobility, and survivability operations.

The 249th Engineer Battalion, known as the "Prime Power" battalion, was constituted on 15 May 1943 and activated on 1 June 1943 at Camp Bowie, Texas. During World War II, the unit participated in campaigns across the European Theater, providing vital engineering support and construction under combat conditions. Reactivated in 1994, the battalion specializes in electrical power generation and distribution, supporting both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide. Today, the 249th Engineer Battalion is a key asset of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, renowned for its expertise in restoring critical infrastructure during emergencies and contingencies.

1st Infantry Division

U.S. Army

The 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed "The Big Red One," is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army, activated in 1917. It fought in World War I, leading the first American offensive and participating in major operations such as Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. During World War II, the division landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and fought in key campaigns across North Africa and Europe. Since then, the 1st Infantry Division has served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, maintaining a distinguished record of service.